"My favorite moment is a walk-off homer. I race out to the bullpen faster after that and start cleaning up. Get-away day I help pack thousands of pounds of gear for the roadtrip.

"I love the time off and it gives me a chance to watch a game on TV, but I like it when they're home and I'm right here.''

-- Terry Monahan

PAD'S TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR USHERS IN A NEW SEASON

Betty Barbour’s badge says she’s from the Netherlands, but she’s really from a heavenly place where baseball is more Field of Dreams than a losing team.

Barbour was the Padres Team Member of the Year last season, their Rookie of the Year employee six years ago. Spend five minutes in Section 103A and you’ll see why. As the Padres opening-day crowd filtered into newly-configured Petco Park, season ticket holders took turns getting hugs or kisses, a big smile and laughter or the entire grand slam of happiness from this incredible Padres ambassador.

“She is the most sincere, amazing and caring woman you’ll ever meet,” said Jorge Saad, a Padres season ticket holder for the last 20 years. He was at the game with his 27-year-old son, Joseph.

Long-time season ticket holder Jay Helmantoler, who watched games at Lane Field and Westgate Park, caught up with his favorite usher after a long off-season.

“This is the biggest day, the day of hope and promise of baseball renewed, a new birth,” Betty said. “These are our Boys of Summer. They’re giving 100 percent every day. If you love baseball, we want you to come, bring the family to our park to watch our boys give everything they have.”

-- Ed Zieralski

BARBEQUE NOW ON THE MENU, TOO, WITH PHIL'S DEBUT

Since 1998, restaurateur Phil Pace has satiated cravings for something tangy, sweet, tender and smoked with barbeque ribs, pulled pork and chicken at three popular locations around San Diego.

At the San Diego Padres’ opening-day game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pace debuted a new location — inside Petco Park.